Scripture reading: I John 2:15–17

Fatal Attraction

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own;
but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of
the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:19)

“Worldliness” does not rank high on the list of sins preached against in America today, and yet, in the Bible, love for this world is one of the surest evidences that a soul has lost its way. Over and over the Scriptures warn us of the deadly snare the enemy has laid for those who become enamored with this world:

_ Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (James 4:4)

_ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  (I John 2:15)

No one understood this fatal attraction better than John Bunyan. A Baptist preacher in seventeenth-century England, Bunyan was thrown into prison for his nonconformist ways. While confined he wrote one of the greatest classics of Christian devotion, Pilgrim’s Progress. The book describes travellers on their way to the Celestial City. Over and over again these pilgrims are tempted to leave the straight and narrow path and give in to the seductions of this present world.

Toward the end of the pilgrim’s journey, just prior to reaching Beulah Land, travelers must pass through the Enchanted Ground. Weary from their journey, the air in this country makes pilgrims drowsy so that their overwhelming desire is to sit down, rest and go to sleep. But those who sleep in the Enchanted Ground never wake up! They never reach the Celestial City. The dangers of this land are expressed best in a beautiful woman who is the incarnation of worldly seductions. Her name is Madame Bubble. This woman is a witch, and it is by virtue of her sorceries that this Ground is enchanted; whoever doth lay their head down in her lap, had as good lay it down upon that block over which the axe doth hang; and whoever lay their eyes upon her beauty are counted the enemies of God.

Bunyan helps us to understand that those who are most guilty of worldliness don’t recognize the danger they are in, making their state even more dangerous. They are asleep. The seductive charms of this world have dulled their senses so they don’t realize their true spiritual condition. If you feel spiritually drowsy and find yourself weary of the journey, beware. Madame Bubble is near. “Just lie down and take a nap, ” she pleads. “I’ll watch over you. You’re so tired. Come to me and rest.”

Fellow pilgrim, wake up! Shake off the lethargy of spiritual paralysis. You’re not home yet! Don’t fall short of the Kingdom of God.

It is right for the Church to be in the world;
it is wrong for the world to be in the Church.
A boat in water is good; that is what boats are for.
However, water inside the boat causes it to sink.
—Harold Lindsell

point to ponder • It was “easy” for God to get his people out of Egypt, but getting Egypt out of his people was much harder!

prayer focus • Personal revival, and for God to show you opportunities in your neighborhood or church where you can join him at work!